a heart's end

Thirty Eight

Monty

    Nervous would be a fat understatement. As I sit here at La Guardia, waiting for my family to arrive, all I can think about is my play tomorrow. Anaelle has helped me over the last few days cope with my stage freight and constant anxiety. Jean-Claire has came over to the dorms a couple of times as well to run lines and just hang out.

    As soon as I see my mother my heart jumps. I'm so excited for my whole family to be in New York. I won't be staying at the dorms the next couple days, I'll be staying at this nice hotel with my family. The room was paid for by the production company of my play, which was a nice surprise. I see Mathis is holding Marco even if he is to big to be held. As soon as they see me their pace speeds up and I go to hug them. A nice big embrace.

    "Monty! Oh my baby! I missed you so much!" My mother wrapped me in her arms in a very suffocating hug. I hugged my brothers and noticed my dad was missing. "Where's dad?" I looked around.

"Oh, he had to get the next plane. Our's was overbooked. He's going to meet us at the hotel." She smiled at me and I hoped she was telling the truth. After stopping at the baggage claim and telling me about their Christmas, and me telling them about mine, Mathis notices my watch.

   "Dang, Monty. Where'd you get that thing?" He grabbed my wrist and studied it.

    "Anaelle, duh. You think I could afford this?" My southern accent always came back strong when I was around my family.

    "I'm glad you and that sweet girl are still together. Are we going to see her tomorrow?" My mom asked me and I thought back to all the times Anaelle said she wouldn't miss my opening night for anything. "Yes, Ma. I think she is going to be there."

    I thought we were never going to get out of this airport as Mathis and Marco stopped at the Starbucks in the airport. Me and my mother stood outside the little coffee shop waiting on them. As soon as they stepped out, Mathis with his chocolate mocha and Marco with a cake pop, they all gave me a look as if to say 'what's next'?

    "Alright guys, follow me." I smiled at them and led them to a taxi van waiting outside. I had so much I wanted to show them. Not just the tourist attractions, I wanted to show them everything. My dorm, my friends, the theatre where I'll be tomorrow. I want them to see my life outside of the south. I want them to see the new, mature Monty.

The hotel room was a lot bigger than I was expecting. For a family of five, anything is going to be crowded. But this spacious 3 bed hotel room is more than enough.

"Wow, Monty! And this is all free?" My Mother asked as she stared out the window. Normally all you would see is brick staring you in the face, but this window was placed where one could be the street. The hustle and bustle of the city.

"Yep, all free. There's my theatre." I pointed to a gray building a couple blocks down.

"Wow." She gasped. "Monty, when you become famous one day don't forget about your Momma!" I rolled my eyes playfully. She knows I could never forget about her. "I doubt this one show will make me millions, Mom."

"But you do get paid for it, right?" Her look suddenly became serious and it confused me. Why would she care about whether or not I get paid?  "I'll get a small lump sum once the production is over." I bumped her playfully. "This isn't my career, you know."

"I know, I know." She was silent for a beat when we heard a knock on the door.

"Daddy!" Marco cried as my father opened the door. I walked quickly over to my dad and gave him a hug.